Naomi Campbell's emergency surgery

Naomi Campbell was hospitalised on Sunday (24.02.08) to have a cyst removed.

The supermodel was admitted to Brazil's Sirio Libanes Hospital, in Sao Paulo, where she underwent surgery on her stomach the following day.

Her spokeswoman said: "Naomi Campbell was admitted to hospital to have a small cyst removed.

"Following the successful procedure, she is now resting and is looking forward to getting back to work. She would like to thank the doctors who have kindly looked after her."

Josi Aristodemo Pinotti, the doctor who operated on Naomi, added: "I'm not authorised to reveal what Naomi had, not even how serious the condition, but I can say she was operated on and is completely cured.

"It was an emergency operation but everything went well. There were no incidents or any problems that worried me during the surgery.

"The whole procedure was done through laparoscopy, without the need to go through the traditional method, which would mean opening the stomach."

A laparoscopy - which is performed under a general anaesthetic and is also known as pinhole surgery - enables the surgeon to directly view the organs of the abdomen and pelvis through an incision in the belly button.

It is thought Naomi - who flew to Brazil especially to have the operation - will stay in hospital for the next few days and is currently on a post-operation liquid diet.